CCU President Retires After Eight Years of Service

Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 3:40 PM

Colorado Christian University announced that Dr. Larry Donnithorne has retired as president of the University. Donnithorne served in this capacity for the past eights years, leading CCU through one of the largest periods of growth in the University's history.

Throughout his time at CCU, Donnithorne worked tirelessly to ensure that Colorado Christian University could provide quality teaching and learning experiences in accord with the University's mission for more than 10,372 students. He also championed the development and integration of programs that intentionally foster spiritual formation in the University's students.

Donnithorne shared with friends of the University his belief that there was no better investment in the Kingdom than contributing to the Christ-centered education of committed young Christians and he led the inception of more than twenty endowed scholarships and the first seven-figure gift to the endowment. He consistently represented the University with honor and integrity by speaking locally, regionally, and nationally with businesses, churches, and community groups.

Investing in the future good of CCU, Donnithorne advanced the vision of a new campus with energy and excitement. Under his leadership the University recovered from declining enrollments in both the College of Undergraduate Studies and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies after the recession that followed the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The University also experienced increased stability in key leadership roles and the installation of a university-wide software management system.

Donnithorne looks forward to CCU's future under the leadership of the new President, former Colorado Senator Bill Armstrong. "God has greatly blessed CCU by moving Senator Armstrong to step forward to accept the University's leadership at this time in its history," he said. "He is a great man of enormous talent and achievement; a personable, devoted representative of Jesus Christ; and an energetic, thoughtful advocate of Christian higher education."

The CCU Board of Trustees has named Donnithorne President Emeritus and he will return to teach at CCU after taking some time off.